History is Written by the Victors

Whether we call it spin or propaganda or even “alternative facts”, the result is the same: The Official Version of the history of any country reflects those in power in a good light, and either downplays or eliminates facts that would tarnish that image. Those who have the power to publish the books, control the media, and decide which facts are taught to our children, and which facts are to be ignored or erased, manage what we come to believe as The Truth.

But we should not believe everything we think.

My essay, History is Written by the Victors, was published yesterday in Armenian Weekly. I briefly examine the Official Version of segments of Canadian, Turkish and Armenian history, and ask a lot of pertinent questions. But the questions can be asked of any national history: What’s your Official Version? Isn’t it time to update it?